Best time to plant purslane in Australia
Portulaca oleracea
Also called common purslane, pursley, little hogweed
Purslane is a succulent plant that can be eaten whole, raw or cooked, since every part is edible. Around 40 cultivars are grown, and cultivated forms tend to be more robust with bigger seeds. It should not be confused with winter purslane, a plant from another family.
On a shared plot: can spread
Self-seeds freely. Harvest before it sets seed so it stays out of neighbouring plots.
When to sow
| Zone | Months | How well checked |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | Oct to Jan | Not yet checked against a local guide |
| Temperate | Sep to Feb | Not yet checked against a local guide |
| Subtropical | Aug to Mar | Broadly matches local guides, with some differences |
| Tropical | Aug to Jan | Not yet checked against a local guide |
| Arid | Sep to Feb | Not yet checked against a local guide |
Your local conditions can shift any months shown here, so treat them as a guide.
Growing details
- How to start
- Sow directly in the bed
- Sowing depth
- 3mm
- Plant spacing
- 60cm
- Row spacing
- 5cm
- Height
- 30cm
- Germination
- 7-10 days at 15-35°C
- Time to harvest
- 50-60 days
- Frost
- Frost tender
- Sun
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- annual
These are typical figures, and varieties differ. Your seed packet takes priority.